WASHINGTON – The United States Business and Industry Council gave its Legislative Leadership Award for Domestic Manufacturing on Wednesday to U.S. Rep. Michael H. Michaud of Maine.

Michaud received the award for being one of the organization’s top ten legislators in the 108th Congress. He received a 98 percent rating on manufacturing-related issues, the second highest overall ranking and the highest rating achieved by a Democrat.

“I will continue to fight for fair trade and domestic manufacturing policies that will improve our economy and create jobs,” Michaud said in accepting the award.

The U.S. Business & Industry Council is a national organization of over 1,000 small- and medium-sized domestic manufacturers. Lawmakers who voted to end the estate tax, enact liability reform, support fair trade reform and take a generally pro-business position scored high on the council’s scorecard.